BA (Hons) Applied Social Work

UCAS code: L510

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: up to six years.

Campus: Britannia Mill, Derby

Social workers form partnerships with people, helping them to assess and interpret the problems they face and supporting them in finding solutions. This course will provide you with the skills and theories that will enable you to work as a qualified social worker in a range of settings. A career in social work is very challenging, but equally rewarding as you get the opportunity to help make a difference to someone's life.

You'll need to register with the social work profession's regulator and we'll help you work to the standards set out in the Code of Practice for Social Workers. By working to these standards, you can be sure that you'll be ready for real working environments when you graduate. We also have a friendly teaching team who are all qualified social workers and have many years of working in the sector. They will support you throughout your studies and they are always up to date with the latest theory and practice which they can pass down to you.

During this course you'll spend 200 days in work placements where you can apply the theory you learn into practice. You'll have 50 days in practice during stage one, 70 days during stage two and 80 days in stage three. We have great links with our partners in the local and surrounding areas so we can provide you with the effective and practical experience you'll need.

We also offer a work-based route of this course, so if you're in employment and have the support of your employer, you can study whilst working in your current profession.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

• Social Work Law and Policy
• Communication Skills
• Attitudes and Values
• Perparation for Practice Learning
• Applied Sociology

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

• Assessing Risk Need and Vulnerability
• Research Methods for Practice
• Mental Health
• Practice Learning 2
• Human Growth and Development
• Substance Use

Stage three

You'll study these modules:

• Practice Learning 3
• Independent Study
• Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults
• Child Protection and Safeguarding

Some experience of work with service users, either paid or voluntary.

For instance you may have been involved in social care, youth work, education, fostering, voluntary work or housing. Any work placement you've completed will also be considered if it was part of an approved access programme, like a BTEC National, AVCE and your tutor agrees the placement is relevant to this course.

We're also looking for an understanding of the value of social care work and why equal opportunities are absolutely crucial.

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) is required at the point of accepting a place at the University. The Disclosure and Barring Service was established when the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) and Independent Safeguarding Authority (ISA) merged in 2012 and will now provide the criminal records checking service for this programme.

Our entry requirements are usually 240 UCAS points, of which at least 200 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

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The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Please note in stage two and three you may be entitled to an NHS bursary. Please see www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students.aspx  for more details.

*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year and there may be extra costs eg for exams, trips or special modules

Our teaching team are all qualified social workers with many years’ experience of working in the sector. Some of the classroom based activities include lectures, small group work, case discussions and debates. During this course you will spend 170 days in work placements where the theory you have learnt can be put into practice. All placements are found for you and will give you a broad range of experience.

How you're assessed

Our teaching team uses a range of interesting assessment techniques to provide you with appropriate challenges and assess your development. These include written assignments, case studies, group presentations, viva voces and an exam which focuses upon legislation.

Work placements

You'll go on work placements during your course.

There's a growing demand for qualified social workers who can work in a variety of fields, and this course prepares you for that. You could work with issues such as child protection, vulnerable adults, mental health, disability, older adults and youth justice. These may exist in a variety of settings such as hospitals, day centres, area offices, residential centres, voluntary sectors and schools.

Once you are a qualified social worker, you'll be expected to continue your professional development so you can keep up to date with current trends in the sector and keep your skills updated. We offer a post qualifying course in Interprofessional Practice Education for Social Workers which will allow you to apply for positions as a practice teacher within your workplace.

"This course offers a variety of learning opportunities, such as subject areas and topics. By offering a combination of learning styles such as assignments, reports and presentations, it allows individuals to show where their strengths may be."
Linda Wright, current student

"Overall, the course has allowed me to grow and develop. Knowledge, skills and values learnt throughout the past three years will benefit me greatly throughout future practice in the social work field."
Gemma Holland, current student